Thirteen superstitious rituals have classified as evil practices and amount to severe punishment according the draft model legislation on anti-superstition.

The bill, which envisages the creation of a Karnataka Anti-Superstition Authority, has listed practices such as siddubhukti, maata, okuli, bettale seve, panktibheda and made snana as criminal offences. Also, future predictions that result in harm caused such as stigmatization of a person or severe financial loss have also been penalized as non-cognizable offences.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was tasked with preparation of anti-superstitious bill by chief minister Siddaramaiah after Maharashtra enacted the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Ordinance following the killing of Pune-based rationalist Narendra Dabholkar.

“The draft has been prepared after rigorous research and several rounds of consultations with eminent thinkers and legal experts within and outside Karnataka for about a month,” Japhet said.

The bill proposes penalties for broadcasting or promoting superstitious practices. The most severe penalty being proposed is the death penalty for human sacrifice done as part of black magic. Legal action is considered critical to begin the process of weaning people off the historic traditions. It won’t be easy.

11 comments for “Another anti-superstition bill proposed in Indian state”

Please tell whether wearing a Cross is Superstition?? The Bill Proposes banning the sale of Rudrakshas and Wearing of Rudrakhsas. A Rudraksha is of immense value to a Hindu just like a cross is to christian.

It also proposes to Ban Vaastu-Shastra an Vedic Architectural Science…

So this bill is backed by Anti-Hindus and commies.

Blargh

November 7, 2013 at 3:20 PM

@ Shashi Kiran G M

Please tell whether wearing a Cross is Superstition?

Of course it is. Doesn’t harm anyone though.

The Bill Proposes banning the sale of Rudrakshas and Wearing of Rudrakhsas.

[citation needed]

It also proposes to Ban Vaastu-Shastra an Vedic Architectural Science…

From what I can find on vastu shastra in the Tome of All Knowledge, it seems to be basically Indian Feng Shu – definitely not a science.

And if it’s practiced the way Feng Shui is (i.e. charging people exorbitant prices to consult on where their furniture should be placed), that practice should bloody well be banned.

John Nowak

November 7, 2013 at 7:14 PM

There’s a number of practices which should be outlawed in my opinion — curses should be considered a form of assault; money for lifting curses are extortion. I don’t see a reason to ban expensive interior decorators.

Wearing a cross is Superstition may be for a Western Athiest.. But Wearing a Rudrakhsa is not for a Hindu .

Hindu Definiton of God is totally different from the Christian Definition of God. We beleive in a Cosmic force called as Shakti. Isn’t all universe manifestation of Energy, that is exactly what we worship We believe in Nature as our Mother, not an External God.

Our Symbols have meanings rather than a mere sign of belief like a cross. I am not here to pass Judgement on Christian Beleifs but my point is we are different, Our Definition of Gods are different.

You should probably read the various schools of Philosphy in Sanathana Dharma.. By the way we even have accepted atheists. we do not see them any different from theists. Beat that for rationality.

From What you call the Tome of All Knowledge,

“The doctrine of Vastu Shastra is concerned primarily with architecture – building houses, forts, temples, apartments and other buildings.”

How does it even compare with Feng Shui? Is your western Ignorance at Play. Have you done Purva Paksha(complete study) of Vaastu Shatra before Passing your judgement:

Here is some more information from your “Tome of All Knowledge” on Vaastu Shastra:

According to vastu sastra, the world comprises five basic elements known as the pancha maha bhoota. Out of the eight planets, ours has life because of the presence and balance of these five elements. The five elements are as follows.

EARTH (Bhumi) – Earth, the third planet in order from the sun, is a big magnet with North and South poles as centers of attractions. Its magnetic field and gravitational force has considerable effects on everything on the Earth, living and non-living.

WATER (Jal) – This is represented by rain, river, sea and is in the form of liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam, cloud). It forms part of every plant and animal. Our blood is mostly water.

AIR (Vayu) – As a life supporting element, air is a very powerful life source. Human physical comfort values are directly and sensitively dependent on correct humidity, air flow, temperature of air, air pressure, air composition and its content.

SPACE (Akasha) – The Akasha provides shelter to all the above elements. It is also considered the primary conductor of all energy sources within the universal context – physical energies such as sound and light, social energies such as psychological and emotional, and cognitive energies such as intellect and intuition.

There is an invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the person can improve their conditions by properly designing their buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces. Vaastu Sastra combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the person and the material. It takes advantage of the benefits bestowed by the five elements of nature to create a congenial living and working environment thereby facilitating spiritual well-being and paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness.

In Indian architecture, the dwelling is itself a shrine. A home is called Manushyalaya, literally, “Human Temple”. It is not merely a shelter for human beings in which to rest and eat. The concept behind house design is the same as for temple design, so sacred and spiritual are the two spaces. The “open courtyard” system of house design was the national pattern in India before Western models were introduced. The order introduced into the “built space” accounts for the creation of spiritual ambiance required for the indweller to enjoy spiritual well-being and material welfare and prosperity. At right is a typical layout of a square building, with a grid of 9×9=81 squares, meant for family persons (for scientists, artists and yogi a grid of 8×8=64 is prescribed). The space occupied by the central 3×3=9 squares is called Brahmasthanam, meaning the “nuclear energy field”. It should be kept unbuilt and open to the sky so as to have contact with the outer space (akasha). This central courtyard is likened to the lungs of the human body. It is not for living purposes. Religious and cultural events can be held here—such as yajna (fire rituals), music and dance performances and marriage. The row of squares surrounding the Brahmasthanam is the walkway. The corner spaces, occupying 2×2=4 squares, are rooms with specific purposes. The northeast quarter is called Isanya, the southeast Agni, the southwest Niruthi and northwest Vayu. These are said to possess the qualities of four respective devatas or gods—Isa, Agni, Niruthi and Vayu. Accordingly—with due respect to ecological friendliness with the subtle forces of the spirit—those spaces (quarters) are assigned as follows: northeast for the home shrine, southeast for the kitchen, southwest for the master bedroom and northwest for the storage of grains. The spaces lying between the corner zones, measuring 4×6=24 squares (6 on each side), are those of the north, east, south and west. They are meant for multi purposes.[5]

The Article is about Anti-Superstition bill passed in Karnataka and I am talking about what the Anti-Superstition entails. and I am giving a Response to a comment.

The fact that you are not willing to hear out a counter-argument speaks volumes on the lack of objectivity on your part.

I just want to make one point clear, do not view the east from a western lens. You have no clear understanding of Indian Religions, practices and folk traditions. Don’t be Antoi-Superstition Just because it is fashionable.

It is the same kind of Superiority complex with which the west put down the Rich Native Traditions that existed in Europe and Americas before Christainity invaded and eliminated them.

As Blaargh had got his information about Vaastu Shastra from Wikipedia, I pasted the same information from Wiki he referred to. It is not a religious thing, it is the Indian School of Architecture. Our entire civilization was built using this science and you are calling it a superstition. That too me is a tragedy.

If there are quacks does that mean we should Ban medicine?? There are already laws in our country to take care of crooks in any profession. We do not need new Laws. If there are crooks fooling people in the name of Vaastu Shaastra then arrest them, that is the most logical and right thing to do. But It is not right to Ban the Indian School of Architecture.

Shadow Fax

November 27, 2013 at 12:18 PM

Vastu Sastra is a fraud practice. So everytime it will not work and all people involved are frauds. So instead of trying to catch crooks, it is better to ban it altogether.

Blargh

November 8, 2013 at 2:50 AM

Two questions: a) How is “Vaastu Shastra” a science? b) Can you produce a citation for what I asked for?

In Sanksrit “Vaastu” Itself means Structure or Building and “Shastra” means Science/Technique. I also stand by argument that Just because there few quacks does not mean one should ban medicine, just because there are a few hustlers in this field does not mean one should ban Vaastu Shastra. Arrest the Hustlers by all means.

I produced a citation form Wikipidia itself . It is the same source you had called “Tome of Knowledge”, Yet you chose to ignore it. Anyways here are some more citations for your Sake.

As for Vastu shastra, since the past ten years or so the concept has been very abused. Today you have architects telling you how to build your house. Imagine 1000 years ago, a villager would have no clue about what dimensions were needed to build his hut. He may cut a tree that is only 8 feet long but since he has 10 children, he may end up building a tunnel 120 feet long to accommodate his family. So there were some people who could guide the villagers about the right dimensions for their requirements, and set some rules of thumb. Each terrain had a different weather condition and requirement. The mountains had a different vastu, so did the plains. So depending on the different weather conditions and terrain, vastu shastra gave simple architectural guidelines on what kind of a house should be built. For example in an open country, you may need to build a house that can withstand rough winds. In a town which is crowded with buildings and there is no possibility of heavy winds, you would not need to build a house with similar requirements.